You do not currently have permission to view the full text for this document. Please sign in to an account with an active subscription or contact support.
In November 1993 the International Association for the History of Psychoanalysis held a weekend conference in Paris. The focus was on the history of child psychoanalysis, with an emphasis on theoretical and clinical issues.
The Association was originally founded by its current President, Dr Alain de Mijolla, with the express intention of providing a regular forum that would attract a wide cross-section of the psychoanalytic community. The Association seems to have fulfilled this aim, and it was interesting to note that despite the expectable existing differences between the various French schools, both the speakers and the audience reflected the ideological mix.
On the first day, several speakers covered the history of child analysis. The opening presentation, by Pierre and Claudine Geissman, took the form of a résumé of the history of the Viennese Psychoanalytical Society. The pioneering work of Hermine von Hug-Hellmuth was emphasized. Jean-Claude Stollof and Danièle Brun followed this with clear summaries of the work of Anna Freud and Melanie Klein respectively. The ensuing discussion tended towards matters of historical detail and accuracy rather than theoretical or technical questions.
On the second day, further attention was given to the British scene. Catherine Wieder gave a full description of the inception and growth of the Tavistock Clinic. In this context it seemed a pity that no account was given of the history of the Anna Freud Centre. Sophie de Mijolla-Mellor followed with a lucid and condensed paper on the specific contributions made by Winnicott to our understanding of early development.
Up to this point much of the territory covered was rather familiar, albeit presented clearly and efficiently. The latter part of the